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Troopers said they found alcoholic beverage containers in the vehicle carrying five “Texas” cast and crew members that were killed in a Monday night wreck north of Dumas, and a state agency is investigating how the containers got there.

Senior Department of Public Safety Trooper Christopher Ray said Wednesday that when DPS troopers arrived at the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 119 and U.S. Highway 287 they found alcohol containers in the Ford Taurus driven by Clint Diaz, 20, of Amarillo.

Ray said he did not know the exact kind of containers found in the car, which troopers said ran a stop sign and pulled out in front of a southbound tractor-trailer late Monday in a violent collision that killed the five “Texas” members, critically injured another and hospitalized the truck driver.

Authorities said the truck struck the passenger side of the Taurus, and the load toppled onto the driver’s side of the car.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, Theron Arthur McSay, 70, also was hospitalized and was in satisfactory condition Wednesday, Martin said.

A DPS report is scheduled to be filed in the next 10 days, Ray said.

Meanwhile, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is investigating the end-of-summer cast party the six “Texas” members attended just before the fatal crash.

TABC officers are seeking the source of alcohol that may have played a role in the crash and investigating whether alcohol was made available to anyone younger than 21 years of age during the party, said Sgt. Charlotte Knox of the Amarillo TABC office.

“That’s something we investigate whenever somebody is critically injured or a death occurs,” Knox said.

Kris Miller, executive director of the Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation, which produces “Texas,” said the party was held at Coldwater Ranch. The ranch is owned by former foundation board member Joe Batson.

Miller has said he arrived at the party about 6 p.m. Monday. He said Tuesday no alcohol was being served to minors, but that attendees older than 21 were allowed to bring their own beverages.

Coldwater Ranch Vice President Alan Nicholson declined Tuesday to discuss whether the party was held on the property.

“This is a tragedy, and we are grieving with the families,” Nicholson said.

Knox declined comment regarding details of the TABC probe.

“Everything is currently under investigation right now,” she said. “There’s no time limit on an investigation like that because a lot has to be determined.”

Furnishing alcohol to a minor is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of as much as $4,000 and a possible year in jail, Knox said.

“Texas” artistic director David Yirak said the cast and crew have decided to perform the show Thursday, Friday and Saturday after performances on Tuesday and Wednesday were canceled.

“We’re kind of just going day to day, trying to work things out,” Yirak said. “Right now we’re dealing with the families coming, very sensitive issues, and trying to take care of our people. There’s a lot of hurt people.

“We want to do (the show) to honor in the victims ... so that’s what we’re striving for right now, and taking care of our kids, our boys and girls.”

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Wouldn't post this until they know for certain the driver was drinking, he may have been the designated driver that made a terrible error. We don't need to know every little step in this investigation, it's painful enough for the families without putting information out there that makes people jump conclusions and think the worst.

I hope AGN investigates whether or not the decision makers of the Texas show are strict enough about the use of drugs and alcohol among all employees and cast. Really, who throws a party made up of a large number of young people under 21, allows the older attendees to bring alcohol, then expects those underage not to drink?? I do believe the host of the party should bear some responsibility. I also believe that the Texas decision makers bear a responsibility if they endorsed the party. I have heard that this party is a tradition. It is a tradition that needs to go away now that we have lost 5 shining stars. Life is too short to take chances like this!!! Blessings to the families and friends of these young men and woman.

I see nothing wrong with the way the story is reported, to me it is what the DPS and TABC are telling them, seems as if Ayn always has something to say that is negative about the way AGN reports something. If you don't like the AGN don't read it. Just my opinion.

I just want the news reporters to wait until they have all the facts until the story is reported. The way it is being covered is misleading and hurtful to the reputations and the families of the victims.
If it comes out that alcohol was a factor in the wreck, then so be it. If it is true that alcohol was being served to minors, then it should be addressed not just by the police but by the community. But lets wait until we know for sure.

DPS and all other law enforcement agencies who deal with traffic have an automatic check for alcohol in the case of accidents. It's a given that any time that someone has a wreck where people are injured or killed, there is a probe into whether or not alcohol is involved. It's just the way our society works.

They found containers. I also know they have said that the organizers were working hard to make sure that there were sober designated drivers to get everyone back to Canyon safely, to the extent of paying some incentives.

Instead of endless speculation about what we THINK we know about this, why not do something positive and help with expenses for the survivors, send a card to those who have to deal with this, or just pray for the families and friends involved.

Armchair cops need to retire and let the real ones do their work. Speculation will not solve this.

The facts are: There was a party, there was alcohol present, there were minors present, there were alcohol containers in the car, the car ran a stop sign, people were killed, DPS is investigating wether alcohol was involved, TABCis investigating where the alcohol came from and who consumed it. What has been reported that is not fact?

This is a terrible tragedy but it is news. The other choice is for everyone to remain mum about the incident and then watch the naysayers jump on the " coverup" wagon.

Whatever the outcome of the investigation, this was a tragedy. Lives will forever be changed because of it. My heart just aches, thinking of the victims' loved ones and the two survivors in the hospital.